Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Can I use CHI Flat Iron outside USA, is it dual voltage?
No. You have to use a voltage converter.
There's a distinct difference between a "converter" and a "transformer". A transformer is just two pieces of long wire, wrapped round an iron bobbin. It is 19th Century technology and is completely dumb. You put one AC voltage in and you get a duplicate AC voltage out the other end, the "size" (voltage) of which depends on the ratio of turns of the two pieces of wire wrapped round the core.
As an electrical engineer, I cannot see why a transformer with an ample power rating would fail to correctly drive a hair straightener. It works for complex stuff like TV, VCR. As somebody already pointed out - if you plug a 35W hair straightener into a 10W shaver outlet, you will get a lot less than 115V out of it; maybe nothing at all if the outlet overheats and trips its thermal fuse. If you put 230V AC into a mains step-down transformer you should get exactly 115V out, which is what you get out of the socket in the USA. A few volts here or there doesn't matter - watch how your lights go dim when your AC turns on - you're probably seeing a 20V+ drop in voltage there.
A converter on the other hand is a different animal. It uses active electronic components to synthesize the output AC waveform. If you don't draw enough power from it, it won't work properly. Even when properly loaded, the output voltage is very noisy with lots of high-voltage spikes on it. For running something fairly dumb (like a light bulb, or in theory a hair straightener) this shouldn't matter. However, I suspect that these hair straighteners have some clever electronics inside to control heat and timer. Transistors and ICs (computer chips) don't like high voltage spikes up them and it makes them go nuts, or even die.
One thing that may cause a problem, even when running on a proper transformer - the frequency of the mains AC in Europe is only 50Hz, whereas in the USA it's 60Hz. Again, this shouldn't make a difference to products that don't rely on the frequency of the waveform. If you try powering a typical clock from a transformer on the wrong continent it will either lose or gain time depending on which way you're going. A colleague of mine did just that when he moved to the US from the UK. He was amusingly and rudely awakened by his alarm at 4am on the second day. Sorry to be such a geek, but I am. My wife wants a set of these and we're probably going to move back to the UK. I'm not just reading feminine beauty product reviews for fun!
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Chi flat iron hair straightener
Last year I was given the CHI hair straightener as a gift and let's just say that I "donated" the Conair model. I'm not the kind of person to follow with celebrity trends, but there is a reason why this flat iron is so popular with the "elite," if you will.
It takes up half the time my old Conair model did in heating up. Hell, I can get my hair done in less time with the Chi than it would take for my old flat iron to heat up! My hair is soft, shiny, and it doesn't look or feel like I'm putting it through a torture chamber.
I was raised to believe that it is rude to ask someone how much money they may have spent on a personal gift. My cousin owns a Chi flat iron and slipped the price one day during a conversation. While I am shocked that it cost that much money, I can only tell the fellow curly haired, humidity suffering people that this flat iron is worth every single penny!
Now my only complaint with the flat iron is the heat. I actually had to flat iron my hair with gloves on a few times because my hair would get so hot after running it through the flat iron. The blister on my fingers from the heat should be a warning to the accident prone, but when I walk out of the house in the morning and return home at night with my hair not in a curl frenzy, it's well worth it. I guess you could say pain is love.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
European Hair Research Society Meeting
Highlights:
1. Cultured human dermal papilla cells induce hair formation.
Presented by: Jizeng Qiao, Erica Philips, Jeff Teumer from Intercytex Ltd, Woburn, MA, USA
2. Long-term culture of mouse vibrissal dermal papilla cells and hair follicle-inducing ability.
Presented by Aki Osada, Tokiro Iwabachi, Jiro Kishimoto*, Tatsuo Hamazaki, Hitoshi Okochi from Department of Tissue Regeneration, Research Institute, International Medical Center of Japan, *Skin Biology Research Labs, Life Science Research Center, Shisheido Co Ltd, Japan
3. Generating new hair follicles in epidermis
Presented by: Fiona Watt from Keratinocyte Laboratory, London Research Institute, Lincoln’s Inn Fields Laboratories, London, UK.
About EHRS
The European Hair Research Society is an independent, non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting the research of hair biology and hair disease in Europe.
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The EHRS has an international membership of scientists, dermatologists, and
professionals working in academia, industry, and government.
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The EHRS represents its members by promoting the pursuit of excellence and
the dissemination of information regarding hair biology and encourages the
scientific careers of young investigators.
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The EHRS serves as an advocate and resource for increasing public and
government awareness of the needs for, and advances resulting from, hair
research.
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The EHRS supports and organizes meetings dedicated to the presentation of
new research findings, exchange of information, education of its members, and
the advancement of science.
Hair building fiber
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
European Bridal Hairstyles
Monday, May 11, 2009
French Hair Treatment Just Launched in US Market
The formula is currently the top selling natural hair loss treatment in Europe, according to manufacturer Laboratoires Natural Scientific .
Launched as two separate product lines - Alphactif for Men and Alphactif Nutritif, which is aimed at both men and women.
Produced in France and Belgium and developed by Gil Mennetrey at the Laboratoires Natural Scientifc, these products claim to be scientifically designed to halt hair loss and rejuvenate hair from the inside out. The manufacturers say that effectiveness has been proven under clinical studies and that there are no known side effects due to the treatments natural ingredient.
Rather than inhibit the hormones that cause hair loss, Alphactif for Men is a dietary supplement containing active vegetable components and vitamins that prevent severe hair loss by supplying the hair follicles with the nutrients necessary for optimal hair growth and protecting them from hormonal or immunological activity and inflammation.
Alphactif for Men is comprised solely of pumpkin seed oil, borage seed oil, urtica dioica root extract, zinc, vitamin B6, Vitamin E and soy lecithin.
Equally as effective and suitable for both men and women, Alphactif Nutritif works on four different levels to stop hair loss, increase hair growth, improve hair strength and protect hair cells with active anti-oxidants.
Containing marine proteins from fish and shark cartilage, sulfur amino acids, eight essential vitamins (A, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and Biotin) and three important trace elements, zinc, copper and selenium, Alphactif Nutritif is highly effective and without any known side-effects.
The company says that the clinical trials, conducted independently by the Laboratoires Spincontrol in Tours, France, between January and July last year, included 32 men and 32 women who were all suffering from hair loss in a double blind test.
Trichogram testing proved that amounts of anagen phase hair improved in both men and women taking Alphactif for Men and Alphactif Nutritif, while it decreased in the control group. Those taking the products also reported improved hair vitality and strength during the 90 day test.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Ultra Gloss & Flexible Hold Hair Spray
Folicuré Ultra Gloss restores brilliant, healthy shine to all hair textures. This anti-humidity formula stops frizz and makes styling easier. Folicure Ultra Gloss protects hair from environmental and styling damage. This formula is also fragrance and alcohol-free with a U.V. sunscreen to protect and enhance color and highlights. Fine, thin or limp hair requires a lightweight but bodybuilding hair spray. Folicure Flexible Hold Hair Spray (aerosol) holds all day and protects delicate hair from sun damage and airborne pollutants. This formula is quick-drying, non-sticky and adds a beautiful shine to hair. It washes cleanly from the hair without residue.
STYLE - Thickening Mousse, Hair Spray & Texturizing Gel
Folicure Thickening Mousse, Hair Spray & Texturizing Gel
Folicure Thickening Mousse provides a touch of control while allowing your hair to look its fullest. Mucopolysaccharides and Pro-Vitamin d-Panthenol increase the body and thickness of each hair strand. Folicure Hair Spray (non-aerosol) was designed to make the most of fine hair. It imparts body and fullness while helping to achieve a long-lasting style. Folicure Texturizing Gel's unique scientific formulation allows flexible and creative styling without heavy build-up to make the most of fine or thinning hair.